Well, if soya milk adherents could have their way, more soya milk will be enjoyed by people the world over. Indeed, in all the world's hotspots - from New York, Hong Kong, London to Sydney - trendsetters are dumping the dairy and drinking the soy!
Most recently, Manila was the latest world capital to join the soy bandwagon.

Of course, soy products are not new to Manileños or even Filipinos in general. After all, the taho vendor is a regular fixture in Metro
Manila's streets since time immemorial. However, it seems that lately, soy products are now becoming more and more visible in groceries, cafes, gyms and even ice cream shops. Indeed, several well-known food outlets are offering soy ice cream and gelatos.

Anyway, a little endorsement from celebrities
doesn't hurt in further increasing soya milk's popularity. Lord of the Rings actor, Orlando Bloom for instance, says
"no" to a milk mustache, preferring to be a sultry "soy boy" instead. Marge Helgenberger of the outrageously popular TV show, CSI, also prefers her lattes tall, hot and soy!

Fortunately, Filipinos could have their lattes with soy as well, as the
country's leading coffee houses now offer soy milk in lieu of dairy. The same could be said of the country's leading gyms, most of which have soy milk available in their branches.

Of course, health enthusiasts have always known how healthful soy milk is. Anyway, drinking soy milk may be an alternative to Filipinos who
can't drink milk, as 50 percent of Filipinos are lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance may cause cramps, bloating and diarrhea.

Other studies point out that soya cuts cholesterol, reduces the risk of heart disease, protects against breast cancer and prostate cancer and even alleviates symptoms of menopause. Moreover, it is also a great source of protein and calcium; aside from boosting the immune system. Lastly, women concerned about osteoporosis should take note that soy protein actually helps in preserving calcium in the body and promotes healthy bones as well.

So drink some soy!

More SOY Trivia...
Here are some more inspiring information about the soya bean and the numerous products that are made from it.

The soya bean is one of the oldest domesticated plants consumed until today. In China for instance, the soya bean has cultivated for thousands - not just a millenia - of years.

The soya bean has also been invested with mystical qualities. In Chinese civilization, soya was actually deemed one of the holy crops along with rice, wheat, barley and millet - all of which are grains, except the soya bean.

Soya beans are very versatile. As such, it can be used as a whole bean, as sprouts, turned into soya milk, tofu, soya sauce and miso (a fermented soya paste). Also, it is one of the world's most important sources of protein, considering that most Chinese - and there are over a billion of them - get their protein from the humble
soya.

One of the more interesting soya products of late is the soya candle which is gradually being accepted by a lot of people. Instead of beeswax, soya candles are made from soya wax (made from hydrogenated soya oil). It is a recent invention, considering that soya wax was invented only in 1993.